New Poll Finds Preparation for Hurricane Season Lags

Residents in hurricane-prone states are not taking necessary steps to protect their property this hurricane season despite the severity of last year's storms, according to a new poll conducted online by SurveyMonkey on behalf of the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI). The poll found 56% of residents across Texas, North Carolina, Louisiana, and Florida have not taken any precautions this year in advance of hurricane season.

Only 35% said that last year's storms prompted them to take any precautions this year.

"Last year's storms should have served as a wake-up call for residents in hurricane-prone states to take the necessary precautions to protect their property and their family," said Joe Woods, vice president, state government relations for PCI. "Unfortunately, far too many homes remain underinsured, residents are unfamiliar with evacuation plans, and contractor fraud and abuse is far too prevalent."

The poll also found that only half of the residents are familiar with their local municipality, county, orstate evacuation plan and less than half (48%) have developed an emergency plan and shared it with their household.

Furthermore, the poll found that 55% in hurricane-prone states do not have an emergency bag, which includes necessities such as medication, non-perishable food, and water. Even among those whose homes were damaged by last year's storms, only 53% have this bag prepared.

And nearly two-thirds (63%) of all residents have not conducted a home inventory in the event that property and/or possessions are destroyed, damaged, or lost in a disaster. That number drops only slightly (52%) among those whose homes were damaged last year.

FLOOD ZONE DANGERS

o 14% of residents do not know if their existing homeowners or renters insurance policy covers flood damage

o 70% have not spoken to their homeowners or renters insurance company about obtaining additional coverages such as flood insurance

o Nearly three-quarters (74%) think flood insurance is necessary to help in recovery efforts following a natural disaster

FINANCIAL PREPARATIONS

o Close to one-third (32%) of residents do not have readily available cash or savings to meet short term expenses that may arise following a natural disaster

o 35% say they have not stored important financial papers and documents in a safe deposit box or online for easy access

CONTRACTOR FRAUD & ABUSE

Following a severe storm it is common for crooked contractors to try and take advantage of consumers needing repairs, according to PCI. These contractors make false promises, take full payment upfront and never finish the work or even create damage where none existed.

o 72% are at least somewhat familiar with the signs of contractor fraud and abuse

o Yet, 14% said they would pay upfront for the rebuilding or repair costs if it meant getting their property fixed more quickly. 20% said they aren't sure if they would

o 10% of residents would accept an unsolicited offer from someone to make repairs to their home. 16% aren't sure if they would

* PCI promotes and protects the viability of a competitive private insurance market for the benefit of consumers and insurers. PCI is composed of nearly 1,000 member companies, representing the broadest cross section of insurers of any national trade association. PCI members write $220 billion in annual premium, 37 percent of the nation's property casualty insurance. Member companies write 44 percent of the U.S. automobile insurance market, 30 percent of the homeowners market, 35 percent of the commercial property and liability market and 37 percent of the private workers compensation market.